Young adults in the United States are struggling to establish their financial future. With the rising cost of higher education and high unemployment rates among young adults, growing debt continues to be an issue for young adults in the United States. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), student loan debts have surpassed the $1 trillion mark. Many adults who went to college took on some debt for their education, and younger adults were more likely to have taken out student loans or incurred other education-related debt. Although repayment of this debt can be challenging, many student loan borrowers have received reductions or delays in payment due dates for student loan bills since the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

Debt Information for Teens, Fourth Edition offers updated information about economic fundamentals that impact personal finances and ways to manage money. It explains how to develop a personal budget, save for future goals. It also discusses establishing and using credit, the basics of borrowing, the purposes of credit reports and credit scores, and some of the most frequently encountered types of loans, including repayment plan, vehicle, and education loans. A special section on credit cards explains the different types of credit cards, how fees are calculated, the perils of making minimum payments, and tactics sometimes used by credit card companies that can be costly for consumers. Another section provides information about resolving debt-related problems, and the book concludes with a list of online tools and a directory of resources for additional information.

Part One: The Economy and Your Wallet discusses American currency, payment systems, and digital assets. It provides a basic overview of money, payment systems, and interest rates is presented, along with how these issues affect people of all sorts, especially teens. In addition, this section also discusses youth financial literacy, national debt, and monetary policies.

Part Two: Personal Money Management describes essential concepts and tools to help teens handle the funds under their control. It focuses on the importance of making a budget, and practical strategies for earning, spending, and saving for the future. This part also explains how to open a bank account, how to avoid costly mistakes in managing savings and checking accounts, and steps that can be taken to help minimize risks associated with identity theft.

Part Three: Establishing and Using Credit explains the credit system comprehensively. It describes how credit reputations are formed and the impact credit history can have on future financial transactions. It explains credit reports and credit scores and details the types of loans most relevant for teens.

Part Four: Credit Cards examines the advantages and disadvantages of credit cards. Tips for evaluating and comparing different credits are discussed, along with explanations regarding interest rates, fees, and practices that may lead to increased consumer costs. Measures to take in case of inability to repay credit on time and rebuilding credit history are discussed.

Part Five: Identifying and Resolving Debt-Related Problems talks about situations that can occur when debt gets out of control. Options for repaying student loans and credit card debt by consolidation are detailed. It explains the legal protections available to consumers and provides facts about vehicle repossession and bankruptcy. Deceptive tactics and illegal practices sometimes used by companies that prey on people causing financial difficulties are also described.

Part Six: If You Need More Information provides a list of interactive financial tools and mobile applications, online calculators, and other web-based resources, along with a directory of financial organizations.